2017 -- S 0300 SUBSTITUTE A

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2017

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION

     Introduced By: Senators Sosnowski, Goodwin, Ruggerio, Miller, and Gee

     Date Introduced: February 16, 2017

     Referred To: Senate Education

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 16-81 of the General Laws entitled "Right To A Safe School In

Higher Education" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     16-81-1.1. Suicide prevention and mental health services.

     (a) Each public institution of postsecondary education shall establish a plan for

addressing the mental health needs of its students in a timely fashion that may include written

memorandum of understanding with local community service providers or other mental health

providers. Sole reliance on off-campus mental health services is strongly discouraged.

     (b) Each public institution of postsecondary education shall develop and implement

policies and training, if appropriate, that advise students, faculty, and staff, including residence

hall staff, of the proper procedures for identifying the needs of a student exhibiting suicidal

tendencies or behavior, and where appropriate provide training for addressing said needs.

     (c) The plan and policies along with the implementation timetable in subsections (a) and

(b) of this section shall be provided to the president of the senate, speaker of the house of

representatives, and the council on postsecondary education by January l, 2018.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION

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     This act would have each public institution of postsecondary education establish a plan

for addressing the mental health needs of its students. Each institution shall develop policies

aimed at identifying a student exhibiting suicidal behavior or tendencies.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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